DESTINATION ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
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Easygoing Multi-Adventure Tour Iceland
Dolce Tempo Journey in the Awe-Inspiring Land of Fire & Ice
It’s a pleasure to find warmth in the cold. A hot tub steaming in the chilly air. A hearty bowl of soup at a hiking refuge in a misty volcanic valley. A luxury hotel perched at the foot of one of the world’s largest glaciers. Iceland—the perfect place for hot-blooded adventurers. Come discover this rugged country. See for yourself why they call it the Land of Fire and Ice.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Premiere Hotels
Iceland
Start/End Reykjavík
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Refreshingly Active Adventures
Explore the stunning landscapes of the Land of Fire and Ice, where volcanoes and glaciers are a part of daily life, and discover the beautiful Westman Islands.
Immersive Travel
Dive into the rich culture of Iceland, where myths of fairies and trolls abound, and discover the fascinating story of how this remote island was settled by humans.
Unique Hotels & Delectable Dining
Enjoy modern luxury and tasteful design at our hotels and sample Icelandic delicacies like lamb and cod crafted by chefs who combine the traditional and contemporary into unforgettable mouthwatering experiences.
6 Days Premiere Hotels
Board a scenic flight to Iceland's southeastern shore | Visit the picturesque Icelandic fishing town of Höfn | Tuck into a delicious langoustine lunch at a harbor restaurant | Venture across a remote black-sand marshland on a vintage sheep cart to explore a puffin sanctuary on a remote cape | By zodiac boat, explore Fjallsárlón, a frigid iceberg-filled lagoon at the foot of a glacier | Walk the trails of Skaftafell National Park and experience landscapes shaped by millennia of volcanic activity | Make your way to Svartifoss, a stunning waterfall flowing through cliffs of black hexagonal lava columns | Enjoy classic Icelandic cuisine with a contemporary twist at Fosshotel’s chic restaurant.
A modern Scandinavian-style hotel featuring wonderful views of the surrounding mountains.
Get up close and personal with a glacial tongue on an ice-walk in Skaftafell | Stop for a visit to Reynishverfi Black Sand Beach and admire its unique basalt column rock formations | Take some time for a soak in an outdoor hot tub at Hotel Rangá, a renovated fishing lodge | Hop on a ferry and cross to the Westman Islands | Hike along a volcano crater's rim, through a lava field and down to the coast | Sip a coffee and people-watch in Heimaey, the largest of the Westman Islands and the only one with a human population.
A countryside log cabin-style resort with three geothermally heated hot tubs and views of mountains, glaciers and the Hekla Volcano. A Small Luxury Hotels of the World member.
Jump in a “super jeep” for an off-road adventure crossing lava beds and glacial rivers | Discover the remote valley of Thórsmörk, at the foot of three volcanoes | Walk gentle footpaths and find incredible vistas near the end of the iconic Laugavegur trail | Explore the vibrant green landscape and pass dramatic rock formations | Enjoy an Icelandic lunch in a hiker’s refuge | Stop by Seljalandsfoss waterfall to snap the perfect Icelandic waterfall photo | Relax with a cocktail in the chic Northern Lights Bar of our luxury hotel | Wander a geothermal valley past steaming mud-pots | Take a morning to relax and visit the hotel's outdoor hot tub.
This sleek, modern and award-winning hotel sits amid geothermal pools, near the shore of Lake Thingvallavatn. (pool)
Dates & Prices
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy.
- 2021
- Oct
Dolce Tempo: What to Expect
Our easygoing Multi-Adventure tours make adventuring a breeze—perfect for beginners or occasional bikers/hikers, or anyone who is interested in exploring the world actively. With dedicated Trip Leaders, support vans and GPS-supported routes, the day is yours to decide. Find an unbeatable blend of walking and biking routes (2-4 hours of activity, 10-30 miles of biking, 2-7 miles of walking) with other fun-filled activities such as kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, camel riding and more. On trips with biking, custom electric-assist bikes allow you to pedal effortlessly!
Route notes
The walking and hiking terrain on this trip includes a mix of dirt paths, uneven ground and paved and gravel roads. Most of our hikes take place at elevations between sea level and 1,600 feet. The Backroads support van intersects with routes at strategic points. Weather and wind conditions can have an impact on our hiking options so be sure to dress appropriately.
What's Included
- All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips with biking, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Straight talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
The combination of Iceland's prolific waterfalls, vast ice fields, vibrant green landscape and warm ocean currents makes this island like no other place in the world. The island's climate can be as surprising as its terrain, with weather patterns and microclimates that can bring sun, wind, fog, sleet, rain and snow all in the same day (or hour!). Please be sure to bring warm layers and waterproof gear for every day of the trip. In addition, the fluctuating weather might result in flight and mid-trip itinerary changes, but rest assured your Backroads Leaders are always prepared to make necessary adjustments to ensure a great trip while keeping safety the top priority.
Luxury Iceland-style usually means modern, simple and nicely appointed buildings that prioritize location and views over plush amenities or landscaping. Please note that, due to the remoteness of our properties, dinners tend toward a local buffet-style affair and limited-choice menus, which is simply a part of the cultural experience of Iceland.
On this trip we travel by air to reach the exclusive hotels and activities this destination has to offer. We'll be flying on a charter flight with Eagle Air aboard a turboprop plane that seats 19 passengers.
While biking and hiking and kayaking trips are at the core of popular adventure travel offerings, they are not for everyone. So Backroads, a company that has long been the leader in active travel trips, has come up with an array of softer adventures for 2021.
